How To Pack Light For Travel

Travelling without checked luggage is one of the best ways to travel. You don’t have to haul an oversized case around with you, it stops you from over packing and you get to save money. Having said this, it’s something you’ll have to master before you go. But don’t worry. We’ll talk you through how to pack light for travel, including what to take (and leave behind), how to fold your clothes for travel and more top tips to ensure you’re travelling as efficiently as you can. For hassle-free travel, consult our tips for packing light below.

• Liquids. Travelling without checked luggage? Usually the first hurdle is keeping to the liquid restrictions in your carry-on bag. So to avoid a struggle at security or buying over-priced mini toiletries, try taking solid deodorant, bar shampoo and body wash instead of liquid formulas. Not only are bar toiletries easier to travel with, they often use less plastic, so are better for the environment. Win, win!
• Lightweight luggage. Arguably the most obvious packing light tip – make sure your case or rucksack is as lightweight as possible. Check out our cabin friendly wheelie 40L travel bag for lightweight, easy to carry cabin luggage.
• Pack multi-use clothes. Try and take clothes that you can use for more than one purpose. For example, a sarong acts as a cover up and also a towel if need be.
Organise your clothes. The easiest way to do this is by using packing cubes. Take one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for toiletries.
• Weigh your bag in advance. You may not be aware that most airlines have a maximum weight on their cabin bag allowance. So to pre-empt this and save yourself from paying extra fees, we’d recommend buying some luggage scales and weighing your bag before you leave for the airport.
• Wash your clothes when you’re out there. That way, you’ll reduce the amount of clothes you’ll have to take in the first place – and it won’t weigh you down.
• Wear your heaviest items on the plane journey. Want to avoid charges for heavy luggage? Wear your bulky or heavy items on to the plane. So don your boots and jacket pre boarding – you can always take them off during the flight.

• Lightweight layers. One of the most important things to consider when learning how to pack light for travel is your clothing. It takes up the most space, so you need to think carefully. Pack lightweight layers that are easy to fold like our lightweight fleeces rather than a chunky jumper or hoodie.
• No more than three pairs of shoes. Shoes are heavy and bulky – so keeping them to a minimum is best. Pack one or two versatile, lightweight options in your bag.
• Only one pair of trousers. Ideally something you can get a lot of wear out of, like some hiking trousers or a simple pair of black jeans – no one will be keeping tabs on you wearing the same thing!
• A tablet/kindle. If you love to read while travelling, this is one of the best tips for packing light for you. With a tablet or kindle you can still revel in the joys of reading abroad without having a load of books weighing you down.
• Leave your laptop. If it’s not necessary, leave your laptop at home. You can access all the information and entertainment you need on your phone or tablet, without the added weight.
• Take travel-friendly clothing. By this we mean it’s worth considering what your clothes are made of. You’re best packing clothes that won’t crease and will dry quickly – and one of the best materials with these properties is merino wool. Check out our merino baselayer top for a lightweight, naturally moisture-wicking option.

Now you know how to travel light and what to take with you, it’s time to learn how to fold clothes for travel in the most space saving way. Here’s how to maximise space with folding:

Rolling. You’ve probably come across this packing technique before as it’s a failsafe for packing light. Combined with your packing cubes, you’ll fit many more clothes in your bag simply by rolling instead of folding. Having said this, you need to make sure there aren’t any creases in your garments before rolling, as this will crease them further.

Folding front to back. A favourite when organising clothes at home, why not try it for your trip? Not only will folding your clothes and placing them upright (like a filing cabinet) mean you’ll create more space, you’ll also be able to see your different options much more clearly than other techniques. Whichever way you choose, both of these methods are ideal for travelling light.

And that’s our guide to packing light done! Now you’re clued up on how to pack light for travel, it’s time to give it a go yourself. Travelling with your family? Read our family gap year guide for all the tips and tricks to make the most of your adventure. Stock up on all the travel gear you need from our ranges of men’s outdoor clothing and women’s outdoor clothing.